Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Software Solutions 

Business Software for CPG Distributors and Manufacturers

Consumer Packaged Goods or CPG Distributors and Manufacturers face many additional logistical challenges that set them and their software processing requirements apart from that of standard manufacturing operations and wholesale distribution businesses.  And while “CPG” is a broad term – one that can cover many different industries, each with their own unique set of eccentricities – through our experience, we have found that there are a common set of processing requirements shared by most of the organizations that operate within this market.

What Defines The Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Market?

In general, CPG is a type of good that is consumed every day, by the average consumer.  By definition, CPG businesses typically design, manufacture, and/or market:

• Apparel
• Cleaning Products
• Specialty Foods
• Nutraceuticals
• Hand & Power Tools
• Home Furniture
• Housewares
• Sporting Goods
• Linens
• Consumer Electronics & Appliances

Unique Processing Requirements of CPG Businesses

In a business category comprised of so many different industry classifications, it becomes easy to lose sight of those common elements, which we have found to be shared by all who operate within this marketplace.  In approaching a successful business process automation project, a CPG business must first ensure that fundamental processing requirements will be adequately addressed by their business software (give examples) – Once that has been established, the focus then turns to the supply chain and logistical challenges that are at the heard of today’s CPG organizations

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

Because of the high frequency transaction processing that CPG’s typical engage in with mass merchandisers, Electronic Data Interchange or EDI is a requirement for anyone operating in this space.  A fully integrated solution, which encompasses electronic transaction integration with both customers, 3PL warehouses and in some case vendors is essential!  And we believe that working with a solution provider that has a high level of EDI expertise is the only viable way to ensure that Consumer Packaged Goods business will meet their goal to lower costs per transaction.

Warehouse Management System (WMS)

If a CPG business has its own warehouse facility – either in conjunction with 3PL partner or not – utilizing a fully integrated, barcode enabled, wireless warehouse management application for picking, packing, receiving, shipping and physical stock counts is the only viable way to stay competitive.  Efficiently managing today’s requirements for lot traceability, UPC labeling, and UCC128 compliance are virtually impossible without these tools.  MIBAR.net and our partners are acutely away of what it takes to bring inventory logistics to the next level with these valuable tools.

Import Tracking

So many of our CPG clients are sourcing their materials – both raw and finished – internationally.  As such, the ability to maintain visibility to “in-transit” inventory and manage the costs associated to both importation and transportation activities become essential to ensuring profitability.  Through our experience, managing these costs and activities with applications such as container management, landed costs, and invoice matching all help to ensure that business decision makers have access to timely, actionable information required to reduce supply chain lags, improve custom service levels and ensure highly accurate inventory COGS.

Supply Chaining & Collaboration

Staying ahead in the Consumer Packaged Goods marketplace is all about enhanced communication and collaboration with your supply chain partners.  With international trade comes longer lead times – a communication breakdown in these types of design and procurement processes can cost dearly.

How We Can Help Your CPG Business

At MIBAR.net, we have helped many CPG businesses address these challenges by establishing an integrated, collaborative virtual workplace - this will enable your organization to share a common set of data, information, and business intelligence in a secure environment that will both improve your time to market and eliminate costly errors caused by disjointed communications.  Using integrated tools from within the Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft CRM software applications, along with Microsoft SharePoint and Business Portal, MIBAR.net can help you create a corporate extranet that can house and securely share design and purchasing data in a single repository – and therefore, eliminating the confusion caused by multiple email correspondence, cost and design spreadsheets and purchase order documents.

With the expertise and knowhow that we have garnered by being at the forefront of these industry trends, MIBAR.net can provide the insight that your CPG business needs to compete.